Cutting edge, practical insights on how to craft strategies and lead organizations toward higher levels of Mission Impact for those you serve, from Dr. Rob Sheehan, author, former Nonprofit CEO, professor, consultant. While targeted for nonprofits, these insights also have direct practical applications for businesses and government agencies.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Dark Side of Confidence

Confidence is absolutely necessary to be a
successful leader. And yet, gone too
far, it can become arrogance and can lead to poor decisions – even disastrous
decisions. How do we find a balance?

One way to balance this is long term versus short
term confidence.

Long Term:
“I am confident in . . .

. . . the importance of our mission and the impact
we make.”

. . . the talents of our team.”

. . . the value of working hard together on the
mission.”

Short Term:
“We have a challenge/opportunity here . . .

. . . I have a few ideas, but no obvious answers”

. . . I want to hear your ideas.”

. . . if we work together we can create the best
next steps.”

As leaders, we need to give up the old-fashioned,
heroic notion that we need to have all of the answers. We need to be open-minded about the best
direction to take in the short term while being ever confident in the long
term.

Arrogance can be a huge leadership derailer. Once
we think we are invulnerable, we are a step away from being proven wrong. Try backing off the temptation to be the Hero
Leader and invite your team to be partners in forging the path ahead. It could provide a significant improvement
for your Mission Impact.

For more
ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog
and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com You will find free resources you can
download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at
no cost. You can also check out my book,
Mission Impact: Breakthrough Strategies
for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested. And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit
Consulting on Facebook.

1 comment:

Psychologists say that arrogance is a compensation for insecurities and weaknesses. An arrogant person will rarely say, “I don't know the answer, but I'll find out.” Confident people admit mistakes and learn something from those experiences.-Carmine Gallo

Dr. Rob Sheehan

Dr. Rob Sheehan is Academic Director of the Executive MBA program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland – College Park and Affiliate Professor at the university’s Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. He is also Principal of Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting. Rob has more than thirty years of executive management experience, including eighteen years as the CEO of two different nonprofits. He has his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University where he directed The Excellence in Philanthropy Project.

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out Rob's website. You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.